Use Two Different Flash Products with Cactus V6 at same time

PhilsImaging · December 2015

I have two Nikon SB700 flash that are working well with Cactus V6.

I want to add two more flash from a different company and use all four at the same time using one cactus v6 as receivers one as a transmitter.

I want to buy two Yongnuo YN-568EX Speedlite for Nikon Cameras and attach Cactus V6 triggers as receivers.

I would have three light setup. One large softbox with two Yongnuo flash in the box and two cactus V6. One SB700 on a smaller softbox for hair light and a cactus v6. And a fourth umbrella as fill with SB700 flash and Cactus V6.

Can I control all three of these setups and four flash at the same time using the Cactus V6?

PhilsImaging.com

Antonio · December 2015

Hello @PhilsImaging,

Yes you can remote power control various brands (systems) of portable flash at the same time, even in the same group. For example:

Group A:
- Canon 568EXII
- Nikon SB-700

Group B:
- Yongnuo YN568EX (for Nikon, use SB-700's flash profile)
- Cactus RF60 (without mounting on a V6, built-in radio)

Group C:
- Pentax AF540FGZ
- Olympus FL-36R

Group

- Yongnuo YN568EX II (for Canon)
- Yongnuo YN568EX (for Nikon)

Let me know if need further assistance. Thank you!

PhilsImaging · December 2015

Thank you. You answer is most helpful. Now I need to decide if I want to use two flash units in a fairly large softbox, vs a strobe. I rather have the flexibility of not using a power cord and the heat from the strobe. It is hard to measure light quantity from flash to strobe. Too many different terms and no place to do a quantity of light comparison.

Phil

Antonio · December 2015

Hi Phil,

It depends on the size and shape of your soft box.

If you are running a slim and long rectangular strip soft box then a strobe with bare bulb / C-shaped tube would definitely give you a much more even spill of light across the diffuser. You could aim the flash heads at different angles to spread the light inside the soft box but you might have hot spots.

On the other hand, if you have a big umbrella soft box, like Westcott's Apollo's, then you can have multiple speedlights but eliminate hot spots and still achieve balanced spread of light on the diffuser.

Johnborys · June 2016

Antonio:

I have a vivitar 283, and a Alien Bee 800 strobe head the camera is a LX100 Panasonic.

strobe 1 main light https://www.paulcbuff.com/b800.php

Vivitar 283 fill light and background separator: http://www.butkus.org/chinon/vivitar_flashes/283flash.pdf

Can the Cactus V6 regulate the power for both units? From the camera position?

What is needed on the flashes themselves to tie-into the Cactus V6? I have a Phottix Ares transmitter and receiver. (I use either unit and slave the other depending on lighting configuration)

The goal is to be able to use the hi-sync shutter that the Panasonic offers with these strobes. Right now the max shutter is 250 with the Phottix remotes. Can this unit do what I need it to do here?

Antonio · July 2016

Hello @Johnborys

Only TTL system flashes that runs on Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic and Pentax system can be controlled remotely. So your AB800 and Vivitar flash are not compatible.

Here are the supported models:

Flash model profiles pre-installed in V6:

Canon system models:

- Cactus AF45C, AF50C;

- Canon 320EX, 420EX, 430EX, 430EXII, 430EZ, 540EZ, 580EX, 580EXII, 600EX-RT;

- Godox V860C;

- Metz 36AF-5, 44AF-1, 50AF-1, 52AF-1, 58AF-1, 58AF-2;

- Nissin Di866 MARK II, MG8000;

- Phottix Mitros, Mitros Plus;

- Sigma EF-500 DG SUPER;

- Yongnuo YN568EX II;

Nikon system models:

- Cactus AF45N, AF50N;

- Godox V860N;

- Metz 36AF-5, 44AF-1, 50AF-1, 58AF-2;

- Nikon SB-24, SB-28, SB-600, SB-700, SB-800, SB-900, SB-910;

- Nissin Di700;

- Sigma EF-530 DG SUPER;

Pentax system models:

- Cactus AF45P, AF50P;

- Metz 36AF-5, 44AF-1, 50AF-1, 58AF-2;

- Pentax AF 360FGZ, AF 540FGZ;

Olympus system models:

- Metz 44AF-1, 52AF-1, 58AF-2;

- Olympus FL-36R, FL-50R;

Panasonic system models:

- Panasonic FL360, FL500;

You may also refer to this:
http://www.cactus-image.com/community/discussion/61/flash-models-compatible-for-profiling
And this:
http://www.cactus-image.com/community/discussion/837/users-tested-flash-models-supported-by-predefined-profiles

However if you goal is to shoot high-speed sync, you will need the latest V6 II. It is compatible with your Panasonic LX100. Power Sync may work on your AB800 and VIvitar flash if they have a long-enough flash duration to allow full illumination across the frame as the shutter rolls on your LX100.

If they don't, it may be simpler in simply getting the the Cactus RF60. It will support both HSS and Power Sync.

More on the new V6 II: http://www.cactus-image.com/v6ii.html

Use Two Different Flash Products with Cactus V6 at same time

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